The Excursion Policy is being reviewed to reflect the requirements of the new national standards and the need to safe guard educators and the scheme as well as meeting regulations for risk management. The parents will need to sign a form for any type of outing outside the carer’s home and carers will need to complete a risk management assessment of all outings and venues.

 

 

NEW NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS FOR EARLY CHILD CAREAND SCHOOL AGECARE 2010

 

Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety

2.3 Every Child is protected

 

o Children can only be taken outside the premises by an educator.

o        

o       Written authorisation is required for a child to be taken outside the premises unless in an emergency situation

 

o       Parents are provided with information regarding excursions (designation, mode of transport, educator to child ratios, number of adults) and written approval is obtained and documented.

 

o       All excursions must be subject to a risk assessment by providers prior to being undertaken and the provision of information to parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The educator has a duty of care to extend the development and experiences of children in care by providing safe and stimulating child focused environments and learning situations outside the educator’s Family Day Care premises. Excursions must be conducted in a safe, supervised and responsible manner through risk management strategies to prevent potential accidents and injuries.

This policy has been developed to adhere with:

ú       2004 Children’s Services Regulations, Clause 85, Authority for Excursions Clause 86, Conduct of Excursions Part 6 Division 6.

ú       National Quality Standard for Early Child Education and Care and School Age Care 2010

Regular visits to the park, play sessions, library etc. on the same day at least once a month are part of the childcare program and explained to parents at the initial interview.

Non regular excursions eg. Puppet show, carer visit, play session etc

1.1.        1. The parents are to be advised of any planned excursion in advance and provided with a reminder on the day. eg going to the shops, park, visits to other carers, library, walks, car travel etc

1.2.        The educator needs to ensure the locations are well maintained and not hazardous for children. e.g. fenced, well maintained play equipment, toilets, allows for adequate supervision, adequate shading, any water/ road hazards, etc. 

1.3.        The educator will fill out a risk assessment form for non routine( each time) and routine excursions(6 monthly) for listed locations. Educators will assess on an ongoing basis if there are any changes to the venue at any time. eg flood damage

1.4.        The parent is required to authorise  both routine and non routine outings outside the educator’s home on an excursion form that states:

1.4.1.    the date of the excursion

1.4.2.    the proposed destination/s

1.4.3.    the method of transport or walking itinerary

1.4.4.    the activities to be carried out during the excursion

1.4.5.    the number of adults to accompany and supervise the children.

1.4.6.    the name of the person with first aid qualifications

1.4.7.    the proposed period of time during which the excursion is taking place.

1.4.8.    if practical, an emergency contact number for the excursion is to be given to the parent. (Contact slips are available from the office)

2 forms will be available – one for routine and one for non routine excursions.

1.5.        An adequately stocked First Aid kit and any emergency contact numbers (eg. ambulance, parent phone numbers, poisons etc) must be taken on all outings. (The latter can be on a card carried in the carer’s wallet) All children must wear appropriate footwear.  

1.6.        Appropriate clothing and accessories (eg. sunscreen, hat, jumper, drinking water) need to be taken on all outings.

1.7.        Children’s needs, in relation to age and fitness levels. as well as the weather need to be considered when deciding on the length of a walk.

1.8.        Programme for road safety. (also see Transport Policy).

1.9.        Routine Excursion permission forms are to be given to office when signed. Non routine to be returned with attendance records fortnightly. Copies will be taken and returned to carers.

1.10.    The coordination unit needs to be contacted before educators leave the premises  for any excursions.

1.11.    Children must not be taken on any excursion to swim or to the beach, river, lake or other place where there is a significant water hazard unless the minimum adult to child ratio of persons participating in the excursion is:

1.11.1.1 adult for each child under 3 years of age

1.11.2.1 adult for each 2 children 3 or more years of age.

1.12.    The person in charge of any excursion on which children are taken to swim or to a beach, river, lake or other place where there is a significant water hazard, needs to hold a current approved First Aid Certificate and the knowledge and ability to implement water safety procedures.

ú       Children’s Services Regulations 2004 (Version 31/3/2010)

ú       National Quality Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care and School Age Care 2010

 

Date endorsed: 16 June 2010                                              

 

Date for Review: June 2012

 

 

 

© 2012 Open Arms Care
phone (02) 6655 2650 | email budstoys@bssn.org.au